The story of St. Joan of Arc is told in many places, and has touched the hearts of many people. But there are certain aspects of particular interest to me. It has an instance of inexplicable knowing (Joan asking for the sword her voices told her was buried behind the altar at the church of St. Catherine). It has an instance of someone declaring the mission in their life (Joan declaring as she embarked on her mission “I am not afraid, for God is with me. I was born for this!”) I realize someone is going to read this and think “Well, maybe France deserved to be divided and subjugated by foreign powers.” I consider that a conversation for another time.

No one remembers Bishop Pierre Cauchon, the leader of the ecclesiastical kangaroo court which sentenced Joan to death. No one remembers the person who lit the flames. I believe that Joan would be pleased at the long-lasting peace between England and France, the Entente Cordiale of 1904. I believe Joan would be pleased to see a unified France. One day there will be a saint of whom someone will say “I believe St. So-and-so would be pleased to see a unified world.”